2018 Public Affairs Conference/Boots 'n Business Nov. 15

Public Affairs Conference/Boots 'n Business 2018
Chamber Night

Please join us for our annual Public Affairs conference and Boots n’ Business reception.  These events present a special opportunity to learn about 2018 legislative issues and a night of entertainment with our reception and songwriter’s session. Participants include state legislators (invited), business leaders, local chamber and economic development professionals from across Tennessee. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be provided.    

12:00pm - Arrive / Network  
12:15pm - Welcome - Lunch
                Bradley Jackson, President, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry
1:00pm - Keynote Remarks:
                Sara Armstrong, Vice President, Political Affairs and Federation Relations – U.S. Chamber of Commerce
 1:30 – 2:30pm  - Tennessee Policy Updates Panel Discussion  
                Hear from a number of policy and lobbying experts on important issues coming up in 2019. The Tennessee Chamber will also preview a number of items on its legislative agenda.
 
Moderator:
Dennis Wagner, Director of External Affairs, AT&T

Panelists:
Bradley Jackson, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Mandy Young, Butler Snow LLP
Kent Starwalt, Tennessee Roadbuilders Association
Bob Pitts, Associated Builders and Contractors
Joe Burchfield, Tennessee Hospital Association
Brent Easley, TennesseeCAN (invited)
 
2:30 – 2:50pm      Political Overview: Tennessee’s Election
 
2:50 – 3:10pm      Tennessee Transition & Policy Team

3:10pm - Break- Move to AT&T 27th Floor
 
3:30pm - State Budget Overview

• Catherine Haire, Senate Budget Director, TN General Assembly
• Peter Muller, House Budget Analysis Director
• Krista Lee, Executive Director, Fiscal Review Committee

3:50pm - TN Workforce Initiative & Policy Updates
                Lou Hanemann, Assistant Executive Director for External Initiatives at TN Higher Education
 
4:10pm - Tennessee Chamber Survey Updates
                Bradley Jackson & Charles Schneider, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry 
 
4:30-5:00pm - Legislative Panel: An enlightening discussion with members of the TN State Senate & House on upcoming issues for 2019.
 
5:00 – 6:30pm      Legislative Reception & Songwriters Session
Our Songwriters Reception following the event will feature Scotty Emerick who is one of Nashville’s most prominent songwriters.    Scott Emerick is best known for his songwriting association with Toby Keith.   Amongst his co-writing credits are the Number Ones "I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight," the Willie Nelson duet "Beer for My Horses," "I Love This Bar," "Whiskey Girl," and "As Good as I Once Was", as well as the Top Five hits "Get Drunk and Be Somebody" and "A Little Too Late."   Emerick plays acoustic guitar and sings backing vocals, as of April 2018, he is credited on 23 Toby Keith releases.

As a musician, Emerick began his songwriting career in the mid-1990s, landing cuts by George Strait and Sawyer Brown including the Top 5 single "I Don't Believe in Goodbye", which he co-wrote with Bryan White.   Emerick has also released four singles of his own, including the duet "I Can't Take You Anywhere", a collaboration with Toby Keith and a debut album, The Coast Is Clear.